Welby admits CoE failings as he backs 'internet Asbos'

The Archbishop of Canterbury has admitted he was often "deeply embarrassed" by the failings of the Church of England in tackling anti-Semitism as he backed MPs calls for the introduction of 'internet Asbos'.

It comes after a group of MPs called on the Crown Prosecution Service to examine whether prevention orders similar to those which can be used to restrict sex offenders' online access could be applied to hate crimes under proposals to tackle rising levels of anti-semitism.

Speaking at an event in Lambeth, Most Rev Justin Welby said he backed the MPs report and would ensure that the Church of England paid attention to its contents as he acknowledged failings in the past.

The Archbishop was speaking shortly after it was announced Church of England vicar Reverend Stephen Sizer was banned from using social media and commenting on Middle East issues after he posted a link to an internet article blaming Israel for the September 11 terror attacks.

Dr Sizer, vicar at Christ Church in Virginia Water, Surrey, later issued a statement through the diocese expressing regret and admitting that sharing the article was "ill-considered and misguided".

Most Rev Justin Welby said: "It is our responsibility, now, to respond to this report by acting on its recommendations. I want to say that, despite our failings - of which I am more than aware and often deeply embarrassed - as the Church of England we commit ourselves to be both accountable and to hold others to account and to pay attention to this report.

"This is a vital report that calls us not only to be aware of the profound dangers of anti-Semitism being anything but confronted, but also calls for active ways of combating it."